Picture a station wagon. Did you think about something big and American, maybe with wood paneling on the sides? If so, you have a good memory of the 1980s and earlier. But the station wagons available today tend to be small, European, and luxurious — models from the likes of BMW, Volvo, and Audi.

And, you can add Volkswagen to the mix. The 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen doesn’t match the opulence of the aforementioned luxury brands, but the flavor is similar. It’s smartly sized, well-finished, fun to drive, and it has tons of cargo space. And unlike a BMW, Volvo, or Audi, it delivers these qualities at affordable prices.

Not surprisingly, shoppers like what they’re seeing. Based on AutoWeb’s volume of price quotes, the Golf SportWagen is at the top of the wagon field among our visitors — winning it our AutoWeb Buyer’s Choice Best Wagon Award. Here are 10 reasons why customers are so interested.

10) Its styling is graceful without a hint of pretension.

Volkswagen keeps things simple when it comes to the Golf, gracing it with straight lines rather than swoopy curves or edgy slashes. There’s no huge aggressive grille and no jumbo-size alloy wheels. While this approach differs from much of today’s automotive marketplace, for many buyers, Volkswagen is on to something.

The Golf SportWagen is all business, not trying to hide the fact that it’s a useful station wagon. But it’s also a car rather than an SUV — it’s useful without being a big tall box. Long and low, it stands out from the sea of crossovers. And while some of today’s station wagons make an extra effort to look like sports cars or like SUVs to avoid any negative stigma associated with wagons, Golf SportWagen buyers know exactly what they’re getting. And they like it.

9) Its interior quality is exemplary for the price.

Volkswagen was a pioneer of upgrading interior materials to make its cars feel more upscale, and the Golf SportWagen continues that trend. Soft-touch surfaces abound, buttons and dials move with precision, and the upholstery is sturdy without feeling cheap. VW also sweated the smaller details, such as lining the door pockets with fabric rather than bare plastic, even on the base model.

Like the outside of the Golf, the interior sticks with a simple, straightforward design. The high build quality serves as an excellent complement to that design aesthetic.

8) It did very well in crash tests.

The Golf SportWagen earned the top score of Good in nearly every Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash test, along with the second-highest in the IIHS’s newest and most challenging evaluation: the small-overlap frontal test on the passenger side. It also earned the top rating of five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

All models but the base S trim come standard with forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking. And if you haven't already bought one, good news: Volkswagen recently announced that this safety feature will be newly optional on the 2019 Golf SportWagen S.

7) You can get a manual transmission.

Volkswagen still wins over many hearts by offering a wagon specifically equipped with a manual transmission. Depending on the drivetrain you select, the Golf SportWagen gives you either a five-speed or a six-speed manual for 2018, though the five-speed will disappear for the 2019 model.

Manual transmissions may have dwindled in popularity, but they can make the driving experience much more engaging for those who have a preference for them. Enthusiasts who love manuals but need something more useful and affordable than a sports car would be wise to check out the Golf SportWagen.

6) Turbo power means zippy acceleration.

For 2018, every Golf SportWagen uses a 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 170 hp and up to 199 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers are standouts for a compact car — not surprising when you consider that Volkswagen also has used the same engine in the much larger Passat sedan. By putting the engine of a big car into a small car, Volkswagen ensured that you get plenty of zip when you put your foot down.

Note that most 2019 SportWagens will switch to a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, sacrificing a bit of power to achieve a big bump in fuel efficiency.

5) All-wheel drive is available.

A common reason to buy a crossover is its available all-wheel drive system. Volkswagen counters by making its well-respected 4Motion all-wheel drive system available on the Golf SportWagen — including with the manual transmission. There’s even a variant of the SportWagen called the Golf Alltrack, which has slightly higher ground clearance, some SUV-inspired design cues, a selectable “off-road” driving mode, and more available luxury features than the SportWagen 4Motion.

A powertrain note: The 2019 Golf will continue to use the more powerful 1.8-liter turbo on all-wheel drive SportWagen and Alltrack models.

4) It has more cargo space than many SUVs.

Not only does the Golf SportWagen match crossovers by offering all-wheel drive, but it also trumps many of their cargo capacities. The SportWagen boasts 30.4 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seat, which folds down to open up 66.5 cubic feet of total volume behind the front seats. Moreover, you don’t have to lift your cargo high off the ground like you would in most SUVs.

While the SportWagen’s rear seat isn’t as roomy as you’d find in most crossovers, its cargo space keeps it just as useful for hauling your belongings. And unlike a growing number of crossovers, Volkswagen even includes roof rails as standard equipment on every Golf SportWagen.

3) It’s agile and fun to drive.

Because the Golf stays low to the ground, it has an inherent handling advantage over an SUV or crossover: a lower center of gravity. Volkswagen has amplified that strength with a carefully calibrated and tautly tuned suspension. The SportWagen is longer than the Golf hatchback, but otherwise it delivers a similar driving experience.

The Golf SportWagen’s responsive handling is particularly endearing when you also factor in its speedy acceleration and available manual transmission. It’s a car that’s fun to drive in any scenario — even when loaded up with luggage.

2) Prices start at just $21,685.

We mentioned that many of today’s station wagons are luxury models. Although the Golf SportWagen has plenty of upscale qualities — notably, its well-built interior and its composed, engaging driving dynamics — it’s easy to afford. Prices start at just $21,685, and even the top SEL model barely cracks $30,000. The SportWagen’s SUV-themed Alltrack variant can get expensive, but it’s still a steal compared to a luxury-brand wagon.

The Golf SportWagen also is a great deal for families who don’t demand luxurious leather seats but don’t want to risk stains on cloth upholstery. The mid-level SE model ($27,320) has Volkswagen’s V-Tex leatherette as standard equipment, and its hardiness is well-proven.

1) It offers everything people love about the Golf — plus lots of cargo space.

The idea of a station wagon is that it takes all the qualities of a hatchback or sedan, and then adds more room to carry cargo. The Golf SportWagen delivers perfectly on that promise. Its heightened functionality — not only its extra interior volume, but also the all-weather utility of optional all-wheel drive — is an extension of the Golf hatchback’s existing strengths.

Overall, the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen brings together utility and driving enjoyment, and luxury and value. And it wraps up this appealing bundle of virtues in a sensible, unpretentious design. The Golf is one of the best-selling cars in the world, and we’re not surprised to see so many AutoWeb users checking out the unique strengths of the SportWagen station wagon.